DJ Hero 2 improves virtual wheels of steel, is a must-buy

DJ Hero 2 gives you more control over the music, and increases the fun when …

DJ Hero was an original and brave release in a market clogged with rhythm games, and the sequel is no different. This is a game that shouldn't be overlooked. DJ Hero 2 improves on the original in every way, and is both a hypnotic solo experience and an engaging party game.

There is more to do, and doing it feels better than in the original game. This is the best kind of sequel; the kind that offers an expansion of what was good in the original, along with enough new ideas to keep it fresh.

Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock was recently released to a chorus of yawns, and there are many more people holding their rhythm gaming dollars for Rock Band 3. Spend them now.

Don't just spin, think

We're not going to review the basic mechanics of the game—go back and read our review of the first game if you're unfamiliar with the series—but the changes here are very welcome. There are now notes where you have to hold the button down, as well as long scratches that you need to hold in a single direction. For instance, you'll may have to spin up or down, without a change in direction, for an extended period in the higher difficulties. The turntable peripherals don't feel like they've been changed from the first game, although the cross-fader does seem to have a slightly better *click* in the center (although I may have just played my first set to mush).

DJ Hero 2

The bigger additions are the freestyle sections. During the freestyle scratches you can scratch for a certain amount of time in any direction, at any speed, changing the sounds that come out of the turntable. The red channel isn't just for random samples anymore, each song now has its own specific sounds and lyrics that are triggered by the red button, making the middle sections much less annoying. There are also sections where you can freestyle on the crossfade, along with subtle lines on both sides of the section showing you the sounds and the lyrics you're switching between. This allows you to create your own mix in these sections, and when you learn each song, you can really work with the mix to create something that sounds great.

The end result of all these additions is that you have much more control than in the first game, which adds to the replay value of each song. This is now a much more interactive game when it comes to the music, and you're given some freedom to cut loose and change how the songs sound during certain sections. The game is much more interesting and satisfying. This is a prime example of how a few tweaks can add up to make a big difference in gameplay.

There is now more for your friends to do

The songs that mixed guitar and turntable are gone, but you're not missing much; that was something of a limited feature in the first game and barely made the game multiplayer. Now, certain songs allow vocals when you plug a USB microphone into your system. Remember that these songs are cut up and mixed with other songs, so even if you know the track well, singing may not be as simple as you would like. Still, it's fun, and gives onlookers something to do.

There is also an array of multiplayer modes that make two-player mixing much more fun; this is why we linked to the "Party Bundle" of two turntables and a microphone in our "buy it now" link. In Star Battle you're simply competing to get the most stars by scoring the most points, and Checkpoint mode has you competing for a high score during certain sections of each song. Whoever wins the most checkpoints wins the round. DJ Battle is much like Checkpoint except the song is designed for multiplayer, with sections that feature call and response gameplay. Yes, we're pretending to be battling DJs when we play this mode, but this is still fun, leading to some heated rivalries between friends.

Accumulator is a neat mode where you hit the Euphoria button (think Star Power) on the turntable when you have a note streak going to bank the points. The higher your note streak, the more you can bank, but the longer you wait, the greater your chance of losing the streak altogether. This is a fun, tense mode that really helps you tune your skills. Streak is a similar mode except you're both competing to get to the highest single streak.

If you don't have anyone to play with locally you can use the "Hero Feed" feature to issue challenges online and to check how you stack up against your friends.

Beat up the beat

We can talk about the mechanics and the game models all day long—such as the new Empire mode in single-player that takes you through all the mixes, along with some boss battles against well-known DJs—but what we can't put into words is how good the game feels to play. You'll bob your head, you'll move, and you'll feel like you're doing whatever it is those DJs do in the booth. Like any good rhythm game, it's easy to lose yourself in the music and the interactions, and soon everything else falls away. The medium difficulty will teach you some skills, but once you're comfortable playing on hard the game comes to life.

The music is top-notch, with tracks going from excellent to perfect. The mixes were created by producers such as the RZA, Z-Trip, DJ Shadow... using songs by Kanye West, Missy Elliot, Lady Gaga, LL Cool J, Metallica, Sam Cooke, House of Pain, Lil' Wayne, Daft Punk, Gorillaz, and more. While the songs are heavy on dance and hip-hop, there is something for every taste, and it's mixed with precision and, in some cases, a sense of humor. Some songs seem to be included almost as a dare, and are then put to good use. The licensing must have been a nightmare, but it paid off.

If you have yet to try the first game, jump to this one and take advantage of the additions. If you were a fan of the first game, you need to buy this right now. My hands are numb, my ears are ringing, and my fingers flick at imaginary turntables in my sleep. This one will get into your head in the best way.

Verdict: Buy

45 Reader Comments

Picked up a copy of DJ Hero 2 last night. Did the practice/training session, and then tried to move on into Tournament mode (or whatever it's called), and it failed to load. Restarted the Xbox, same problem. Restarted again, tried a different mode (Quick play), same problem.

Swapped to another, newer Xbox (there are 3 in our house), and still no luck. We'll be returning it today. We were pretty bummed out.

I agree with rsmccli. The guitar, rock band, dj hero, etc never held interest for me. I also don't have people over often enough to justify that.

All that being said, I had a great time at a friends party with these. There was enough (lack of ;-P ) skill at the party that my wife and I jumped in whenever there was room on the Beatles game, and we all had fun. So I say I'm glad some people buy these, because I enjoy them in certain settings, but I'll never buy one (until I have kids).

Aside from a few tracks that appeared extra-picky on the scratch begin/end sections, I really enjoyed the first one. Given the favorable of the sequel, sounds like I'll need to get this one as well.

The one thing I'd really like to see is a version that mostly features electronica. There's a lot of amazing stuff out there just begging to show up in this type of game. (the few tracks that we get in the current game is only teasing me)

Also, it would be neat to see a version that actually included 2 turntables on the controller, rather than try to simulate the experience with just 1.

Is there any beat-matching to trance or techno tracks from likes of Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Mauro Picotto, etc? Or the Djing mainly just scratching to lame (imo) hip-hop and pop tunes? Could I mix along with a 3 hour live set from my own mp3 collection? How awesome would it be if there was some sort of editor mode that would allow you to DJ to your own tunes? Or a legendary live set from your favorite DJ?

Could I mix along with a 3 hour live set from my own mp3 collection? How awesome would it be if there was some sort of editor mode that would allow you to DJ to your own tunes? Or a legendary live set from your favorite DJ?

I have no idea how the beats/scratches/crossfades, etc are created in DJ Hero nor how the various notes and bars are in Guitar Hero, Rock Band, etc, but I'd have to imagine they have some software that can analyze peaks and valleys and tell when a change happens from one track to another. That would be the holy grail of music games, a product no doubt everyone would buy.... but then no one would buy again. Companies would have a tough time reporting how happy their customers are but how sad their earning are to the board when everyone ceases to buy revisions. After all, why buy Guitar Hero 9 when you can load Guitar Hero: You, supply it with a folder of songs, and have it dynamically generate easy/medium/hard modes to play against?

Brilliant idea for customers, not so brilliant for a company so likely to not happen

So do I have to buy new controllers for this game, or will my turntables still work from DJH? I kind of knew that when I bought DJH it was being closed out, making room for DJH2, and I was OK with that. Now I'm annoyed that I have the option of buying newer (better?) turntables. Still, this will be great. I think I'm going to get it soon.

So do I have to buy new controllers for this game, or will my turntables still work from DJH? I kind of knew that when I bought DJH it was being closed out, making room for DJH2, and I was OK with that. Now I'm annoyed that I have the option of buying newer (better?) turntables. Still, this will be great. I think I'm going to get it soon.

Your old turntables will work. I don't think the hardware has been updated in any meaningful way.

Awesome to hear! I picked up the original in Best Buy's clearance sale. I haven't played through the whole way yet, but as soon as Import is offered on DJ Hero 2 (I guess in November), it will be a must-buy for me.

I can't even bring myself to finish the original. Maybe I'm just not that big of a fan of the mash-ups. There's been a few that were cool and fun, but overall, that's a dust collector. I'll pass on this for the much more exciting Rock Band 3. I'm going to learn the guitar eventually through this (as 2 years of conventional methods have failed me) so my real life band can play more than basic chords. (And somehow, I was informed a few minutes ago Vadge from the punkish band, Dwarves, is going to lend some vocals. He might as well. He gave us our drums lol)

I really liked the first DJ Hero, but never touched it after beating the game. I had DJ Hero 2 on preorder, but ended up canceling it. I think if I buy it, I'll play it once and be done. So, I'm just going to rent it.

Seeing all these glowing reviews for the new one makes me want to buy it again though.

I can't even bring myself to finish the original. Maybe I'm just not that big of a fan of the mash-ups. There's been a few that were cool and fun, but overall, that's a dust collector.

Some of the mixes in the original were bad. I mean atrocious. There were a couple set lists that just made me shudder, and at one point made me set the game aside for a few months. It's a shame they're in there, but some of the final tracks more than make up for the bad ones. (and some of the final tracks are the bad ones)

This is an update in November that will allow imports, and I believe it will be free.

If that is the case I will buy it. I really don't care if it's free or not , but free is better. I would put down about $5 dollars for the ability to import my old music. However, I will wait until November to see what happens, I won't buy the software on the promise of an update. Once I see the update released and what it actually does I will make my decision. Hope they actually do allow imports though because then this would be a total buy for me.

OK, just to clarify... Are you saying that this should be bought over RB3 as that is how this quote appears:

Quote:

there are many more people holding their rhythm gaming dollars for Rock Band 3. Spend them now.

And I just don't see how yet another push the colored button music game, just with a different controller and not a new one, can compare to one where, if you so choose, you can learn an actual instrument. Not to mention the at most 2 players playing doesn't really excite me either. If I'm going to have people over to play one of these it's likely to be my entire department, not just one or two people.

Is there any beat-matching to trance or techno tracks from likes of Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Mauro Picotto, etc? Or the Djing mainly just scratching to lame (imo) hip-hop and pop tunes? Could I mix along with a 3 hour live set from my own mp3 collection? How awesome would it be if there was some sort of editor mode that would allow you to DJ to your own tunes? Or a legendary live set from your favorite DJ?

I actually DJ so no buy from me.

It's kind of like how those people who actually play guitar can't stand Rock Band/Guitar Hero.

If you have all of the gear and actually DJ... then this isn't going to be the game for you This is for us plebians who do not have the gear, time, skills, or passion to actually learn to DJ.

This is an update in November that will allow imports, and I believe it will be free.

The update (which yes, they have said will be free) is only for existing DLC from the first game. This does not rule out the possibility of exports from the first game (it suggests that there's no technical problems with that though you won't get the free style sections), but that is probably three times the licensing nightmare per-song compared to the GH-exporting. (which was not free but about $0.30 song).

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

Sweet! It took 29 replies before the inevitable elitist prick made an appearance.

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

I can't even bring myself to finish the original. Maybe I'm just not that big of a fan of the mash-ups. There's been a few that were cool and fun, but overall, that's a dust collector. I'll pass on this for the much more exciting Rock Band 3. I'm going to learn the guitar eventually through this (as 2 years of conventional methods have failed me) so my real life band can play more than basic chords. (And somehow, I was informed a few minutes ago Vadge from the punkish band, Dwarves, is going to lend some vocals. He might as well. He gave us our drums lol)

*Edit: Just to sum myself up. Rock Band > DJ Hero 2 for me.

I'm sorry, but if 2 YEARS of training on a real guitar failed to get you to be able to play a guitar, Rock Band 3 making it into a game won't help you much.

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

Sounds like a DJing dingo ate his baby.

Either that or he had his DJ dreams crushed when he realized he'll never be as good as C2C and gave up.

I'm sorry, but if 2 YEARS of training on a real guitar failed to get you to be able to play a guitar, Rock Band 3 making it into a game won't help you much.

Not if the problem for two years was not practicing enough due to lack of ambition. While I haven't actually tried to learn guitar, it's mostly because I know I'd never devote enough time to it to get over the "this isn't terribly fun and doesn't sound very good" hump. RB3 may address that problem for me.

Or it may not...but then I've at least got a fun game out of it.

Of course, if actually wanting to improve one's guitar skills to better one's band isn't enough incentive to practice, I'm not sure that a video game will be.

Good grief. Only a moron would recommend - let alone play - this game. It's bad enough that millions of people have forgone learning a real instrument in favor of poseuring their lives away with Guitar "Hero" 65: Weezer vs Dave Matthews.

But now this. The dorkiest and much-maligned pseudo-musical endeavor - DJing. And the release itself is a sequel to a gaming facsimile of a "talent" that involves scratching vinyl LPs over stolen beats and BS rhymes. So many layers of artifice, pretense and garbage.

What's next? DJ Hero 3: Weddings - where you get to spin "Wind Beneath My Wings" for the first dance of the new Mr. & Mrs Schlomo P. Jones of Hoboken-no-jokin'. Ugh, I can't think of a more colossal waste of time and money.

I hate to feed the troll, but really Otkon? People have different tastes. Is it really that hard to imagine that someone likes something (GASP!), that you don't? Posts like yours I will never understand.

If your budget makes this an either / or situation then of course you should do some critical thinking.

Well no, I understand that but the point I was bringing up was that you were specifically advising if you are saving up money for RB3 don't bother waiting for it and instead spend it on DJ Hero 2, presumably because DJ hero 2 would be a superior game from a generalistic point of view. I mean you basically gave an overwhelming recommendation of this over RB3 without stating why, at least that is how it appears from the statement.

As for Either / Or situation, I don't know of too many people, in this economy, with $500 just sitting around for music games (figuring $149 for DJH2, $120ish for RB3 + Keyboard bundle, $140 for the mustang guitar controller) so it would pretty much be an either / or for everyone (if they are looking for the complete experience from both and already have a prior RB bundle).

I am also just trying to understand what you mean by the statement. Is DJH2 that much better than RB3 as a game, and if so why? You can't really say "if your saving for RB3 spend it on DJH2 now instead" (paraphrase) and leave it at that without giving a reason, That is all I am wondering.